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First exhibition for veteran painter

An exhibition featuring works by veteran artist and educator Li Wenzhen (1914-99) opened over the weekend at the Art Museum of Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts.

It is the first time that an exhibit of Li's works has been held in China.

On display are about 70 of Li's oil paintings, watercolors, colored ink paintings and sketches, created during his long career at Yaohua Middle School in Tianjin.

"Li is remembered as both a talented oil painter and an outstanding teacher. He knew how to guide his students with different aptitudes and encouraged them to seek artistic styles of their own," says Feng Jicai, Li's former student and chairman of the Chinese Folk Artists Association.

Today, many of Li's former students such as Guang Jun, Yan Tieliang and Wang Gongyi, have become renowned artists, art researchers and senior editors with art publications.

The exhibition ends on March 31 in Tianjin.

Countdown to art extravaganza underway

March 31 marks the beginning of a 100-day countdown to the opening of the Third Beijing International Art Biennale.

"After two years of preparation, the gala for international artists will kick off on July 8 in Beijing; so far we have received about 10,000 sets of works by artists from at least 100 nations and regions," says Lu Yanfeng, an official with the organizing committee of the biennale.

Entries for the art exhibitions range from watercolors, oil paintings, ink paintings, prints, to sculptures and installations. Lu says that many international artists have created new works particularly for the coming of this Olympics-themed event.

The keynote exhibition, entitled Colors and Olympics, will include up to 800 selected artworks by over 600 artists from 80 countries and regions.

There will also be at least three special pavilions for artworks from UK, Norway and Republic of Mongolia, making the biennale the largest gathering in China for international artists since 1949, organizers say.

Making grand designs for the future

The elite of China's industrial and fashion design community met last week in Beijing at a summit sponsored by Smart Papers Co Ltd, a high-end office paper producer from the United States.

During the summit, professors from leading design colleges, CEOs of design companies and independent designers shared their knowledge about the development of the industry in China.

Social responsibilities of Chinese designers, growing opportunities for Chinese design enterprises and the global challenges they face were the main topics for the summit.

"This business in China needs cooperation among design companies and top designers," says Wei Lai, CEO of Beijing Morning Design, a design company founded in 1998. He also suggested an establishment of Chinese designers union in the future.

Expat expo to hit Beijing

Following the success of the Expat Show Shanghai 2007, the event is due to be staged for the first time in Beijing from April 4-6.

Held at the Beijing World Trade Center, the show is devoted to providing various services for the expatriate community living in the capital.

During the three-day exhibition, 150 exhibitors from around the world will offer services ranging from finance, housing, service providers (cleaners, maids, interpreters), education, health, travel, restaurants, immigration and legal services.

With its rapid development, China is becoming the first choice for many expatriates. The 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 Shanghai World Expo will tempt more expatriates to invest, live, study, and work in China.

Gigs highlight cultural exchanges with India

Chinese audiences were recently able to enjoy the largest performance on the mainland by Indian musicians and artists in 35 years thanks to the India Pyramid Saimira Group (pictured).

At the invitation of the China Society of Music Research Board, the group organized two performances - in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province and at Beijing's China Children's Art Theater last week.

According to Yang Linchuan, vice-president of the society, the concerts aimed to promote the exchange between the Chinese and Indian artists.

China Daily

(China Daily 03/27/2008 page18)